Preliminary test results have shown that shell casings from the bullets supposedly intended for journalist, Travis Chase, have “significant similarities” with those from the gun he owns, according to the Guyana Police Force.
It was on Monday at 19:30 hours, that Chase narrowly evaded what was described as an attempt on his life at the intersection of D’Urban Street and Cemetery Road in Georgetown. It was reported that a lone gunman on a motorcycle opened fire at Chase as he was exiting his car prompting Chase to seek cover. After firing several rounds, the gunman escaped on his motorcycle as an off-duty cop attempted pursuit.
An investigation was launched and Chase’s car was found to have three bullet holes on the left rear.
Two days later, police have indicated that the investigators recovered spent shells from the scene and submitted them to the Crime Laboratory for testing. The test, the force said in a release, showed that the shell casings from the bullets intended for Chase have “significant similarities” with the bullets in the gun he owns.
“One of the expert firearm examiners within the laboratory compared the aforementioned shell casings with the specimen shell casings that were obtained from Mr. Chase when he had just purchased and registered his firearm, and the preliminary test result reveals significant similarities between these spent shells.”
As such, the police further maintain that as a result, investigators have invited Chase to surrender his licensed firearm for further analysis to be conducted.
Chase in response to the statement painted it as “absolute nonsense” and said that the CCTV footage in the area would show the entire ordeal. He stressed that he was in possession of his firearm when the incident occurred and at no time did he fire a single shot from his weapon.
Additionally, he mentioned that his hands were never swabbed, remarking, “They know very well why they want to keep my weapon.”
On Tuesday, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) called for a thorough investigation into the shooting.
It noted that Chase recounted that he was shot at on Monday night by an unknown gunman.
“This is not the first time Chase has been targeted by unknown persons. In June 2020, Chase’s vehicle was burnt. No one was charged in this matter.
“The GPA calls on the authorities to move swiftly to bring the perpetrators to justice. Journalists must be allowed to work without threats to their lives and livelihood. The GPA has since notified its regional and international partners of this development”, the GPA said in a statement.
